I have to admit that I used to be obsessive to cling to the residential area all the time. In school, I like my dorm. At home, I prefer staying inside, doing tiny little things I like. I don’t want to go out. Maybe that’s what they call “Zhai” in Chinese. But in the recent two months, I’ve fully experienced the wonders outside.

I used to go to the pedestrian street on the southern part of our campus mostly for books. But during two weeks’ cultural exchange, we’d patronized almost all the restaurants on the walking street. From exotic food to traditional Chinese cuisine, the various styles and tastes satisfied our appetite.

The local Chinese or Shanghai food was peculiar that our American friends sometimes considered it amazing or strange (they always have questions to ask). On the first day, we had lunch at the school canteen. We ordered “Xiao Long Bao” which they had been longing for since coming to China. After having this tasty cute, they asked us “how could they put soup inside”. At that time, if we had learnt the gesture “awkward tortoise”, we would have take it into practice (^o^ |||). Also there were lots of difficulties in translation. Most of the time, we just asked them to taste it and  told us the exact word for the food. While eating, we came to know many. I shall just list several. Eggplant (quite easy one茄子), green onion(葱) , celery (芹菜), leek(韭菜), chestnut(栗子), water chestnut(荸荠)…When we had our farewell dinner, there was a main course “蹄膀”. After we translated it into “the leg of the pig”, I thought nobody wanted to try it even we exaggerated its benefit for skin. We also realized the diversity of Chinese food. We have凉粉、粉丝、米线、米粉、凉面, in English just noodle. We distinguish 小馄饨from大馄饨from 饺子, they considered them all “dumpling”. Maybe, because most of our American friends were the descendents of Chinese clan, they can tell the differences between (Hun Tong, Jiao Zi, Bao Zi). When we were having noodles, they still had the habit to twist it up by chopsticks (like eating pasta). By the way, “Zhen Zhu Nai Cha” is their favorite. We’d tried most of the delicious snacks(especially九份芋圆) in 好大丸(the store opposite No.5 Teaching Building)……

When we hung out together, besides touring around the scenic spots, we’d like SINGING as our recreation. To reflect on my past two months, I came all the way from beginner to amateur to expert. I’ve never been KTV before. But during just two months, I’ve been there 6 times (two over night). I’d sung or heard others sung or sung with others “Sk8er Boy” (by Avril) and “好心分手” (Cantonese & Mandarin mixed) for 5 times. Our American friends know a little Chinese then, so we invited them to dance while singing “please look at me, the girl opposite”. Jayme and I also PK ed the NOBODY dance (slow version). I still remembered the cherished moment we sang together. “All I Want For Christmas Is You” (whose MV covers a magnificent view of San Francisco), “Wannabe”, “Happy Ending”, “We R the Champion”, “I Believe I Can Fly”, “Fairy Tale” (童话), “专属天使” (the favorite of Jessica)……

Each time, after this kind of training, my throat was burning at a time but soon recovered……I love K

民以食为天，乐已歌为先。吃到胃抱，唱到喉咙也报销……